B. G. BAKER was born in Hickman County, Tenn., January 11, 1818. His father, Dr. Benj. BAKER, was of German descent, born in New York City, where he received his medical education, and practiced until about 1812; he then went to New Orleans, and after several years came to Tenn., locating in Hickman, where he continued the practice of his profession. About 1815 he married Mrs. Rachel (Petty) FIELDS, who was born in Chatham County, N.C., in 1788; her parents were Virginians, but of Scotch-Irish descent. To Dr. and Mrs. BAKER two sons and two daughters were born: Winnie, the widow of Lot AKIN of Decatur County: Elizabeth, widow of Wm. LIVINGSTONE, of Maury County; Wm. H. married to Miss Arethie NICKELS, and farming in Decatur County, our subject being the fourth child. Dr. Benj. BAKER died in 1822, and his wife in 1858; she was a faithful member of the Free-Will Baptist Church, a true Christian woman.
B. G. BAKER received but a limited education in the country schools of Perry (now Decatur) County, but acquired considerable knowledge from the Bible and other books: has read from the best medical authorities until he is competent to practice in his field; was married in 1837 to Emily HENDRICK of Decatur County, with whom he had two children; only one survives, and is Mrs. Tennessee BAKER (PRIM) McCLURE who is farming in Dyer County, Tenn. Horton Howard BAKER, the son was lieutenant in the Confederate Army; after a gallant leadership in the battle of Shiloh he was taken sick and returned home, living but two days after his arrival there. Mrs. Baker died in 1843.
In August, 1845, Mr. BAKER married Caroline BASSEL, of Humphreys County, Tenn., who became the mother of ten children of those living are James K., a blacksmith by trade, a farmer in Decatur County, married to Elizabeth Harris; Wm. E., a farmer in same county, wife was Theodosia BESLEY; G. W., farmer in Decatur County, married Georgia D. HENDRICK; Mary E., wife of J. A. HAYNES, magistrate and farmer of Decatur County; Martha E., wife of John H. PRATT, farmer in Decatur County; Sarah J., widow of Wm. H. CHURRY, a farmer in Benton County, died in 1880; Winnie M., wife of L. L. WOOD, a farmer in Decatur County; Rachel C., married Robert CLIFT, is farming in Decatur County; Ellen, married John CLIFT, is merchandising and forming in Decatur County. Benjamin and Dora died in infancy. Mr. BAKER is an elder in the Cumberland Church, and a firm Democrat, a man well known and highly respected. — Transcribed by David Donahue
History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present ; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Henderson, Chester, Mcnairy, Decatur, and Hardin Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Easley, S.C: Southern Historical Press, 1978.